U's 1-0 Lincoln City

Luke Berry's first-half goal helped Cambridge United claim a third win in four Skrill Conference Premier matches against Lincoln City at the R Costings Abbey Stadium.

Berry finished well from eight yards after good approach work from Delano Sam-Yorke and Adam Cunnington. Ryan Donaldson and Berry again went close for the U's in the second, while Lincoln's one effort on target saw Chris Maxwell make a good save to deny Danny Rowe. Imps skipper Alan Power saw red late on for a poor challenge on Greg Taylor.

Boss Richard Money made two changes to the starting line-up, bringing in Liam Hughes and Adam Cunnington for Rory McAuley and Taylor.

And it was clear from the off that the visitors favoured a direct approach, with United themselves not afraid to get the ball up to the mobile front pair of Cunnington and Sam-Yorke.

Sam-Yorke saw one shot blocked, and skied another high over the bar after fine approach play down the United right. But the breakthrough came in the 41st minute, with Sam-York and Cunnington breaking into the box from the right flank. Eventually the ball spun to Berry eight yards out, and he made no mistake with a shot high into the net.

In the second period Ryan Donaldson could have increased United's lead, but shot just wide after arriving late in the box to meet a left-wing cross. But it was Lincoln who threatened next, with Luke Foster seeing a shot blocked and Rowe shooting over the bar from near the penalty spot after a corner dropped nicely at his feet.

The former Stockport striker went even closer when the dangerous Sean Newton picked him out on the edge of the area, but Maxwell got down well at the foot of his post to make a sprawling save.

United then played out time fairly comfortably, helped by the late dismissal of Power, who jumped in on substitute Greg Taylor with a poor challenge that left referee Kinsley with little option but to show the red card.

So a second successive 1-0 win will leave United full of confidence going into Monday's derby at Luton Town.